Rephonic
Artwork for Word In Your Ear
The Beatles
Punk Rock
Oasis
David Bowie
London
Music Industry
Bob Dylan
Paul Mccartney
John Lennon
Beach Boys
Bob Marley
Taylor Swift
Music
Bruce Springsteen
Joni Mitchell
Nick Drake
Prince
Live Aid
Music History
The Rolling Stones

Mark Ellen and David Hepworth have been talking about and writing about music together and individually for a collective eighty years in magazines like Smash Hits, Mojo and The Word and on radio and TV programmes like "Rock On", "Whistle Test" and VH-1.

Over thirteen years ago, when working on the late magazine The Word, they began producing podcasts. Some listeners have been kind enough to say th... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes982Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music HistoryMusicMusic Commentary

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Artwork for Word In Your Ear

Latest Episodes

Marco Pirroni’s moment in the sun was big, lucrative but incredibly short. It was under a year from Adam & the Ants’ first hit to their last and immediate break-up. Adam, he remembers, was the perfect writing partner – driven, intensely competitive a... more

The Specials have officially disbanded, bowing out with a swansong album recorded in the ruins of Coventry Cathedral in 2019. Horace Panter looks back at the first shows they played - when Jim Callaghan was still PM! - and the rigours of mastering sk... more

As this week’s news hurtles over the net, we sort the aces from the double-faults. The final score …

… Madonna, Shakira, Chris Martin and World Cup 11-minute half-time overload!

… how many Stones albums were “the best since Exile On Main Street”... more

We first saw Kevin in ‘77 wearing jodhpurs onstage with his art-punk band the Killjoys! He’s formed a new version of Dexys, made an album, starts a tour in October, and looks back here at central moments in his life, some recent ones so huge and affe... more

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Recent Guests

Andrew Stocks
Birthday guest and subscriber member
Word In Your Ear
Episode: Madonna smoking, the first indie PM and have we just witnessed the nadir of pop?!
Gary Numan
Musician and author of Gary Numan, A People's History
Gary Numan / Music Industry
Episode: Gary Numan’s reality check – ‘I’m essentially a guy who wears make-up for a living’
Ashley Kahn
Author, interviewed about Graceland
Episode: Why George Michael’s life is a movie plus Syd, Kirsty, Gorillaz & the worst album title ever
Kate Mussman
Author and Word magazine contributor
Word magazine
Episode: Why George Michael’s life is a movie plus Syd, Kirsty, Gorillaz & the worst album title ever
Peter Frampton
Musician, guitarist known for Humble Pie and Frampton Comes Alive!
Self
Episode: Peter Frampton – ‘the Face of 1968’ looks back!
Kate Mossman
Journalist and author, discussed in the podcast
Word Magazine / The Word
Episode: Pop stars’ weddings and why Noel Gallagher’s right about World Cup music
Rufus Wainwright
Singer-songwriter performing a Judy Garland tribute at the Royal Albert Hall
Independent musician
Episode: Pop stars’ weddings and why Noel Gallagher’s right about World Cup music
Dave Balfe
Former member of Darlech I Love You and founder of Zoo Records; key figure in the Liverpool scene and Blur's early label involvement
Zoo Records / Teardrop Explodes / Blur
Episode: Dave Balfe remembers the Teardrops, Blur and a very big house in the country
Benji Wilson
Author of Rate This Book
Author, Rate This Book
Episode: Star Ratings - do we love/hate/need them? Five-star debate here! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hosts

Mark Ellen
Co-host and host of the long-running conversation series, with a focus on music history, culture, and interviews with artists and authors.
David Hepworth
Co-host and co-creator; renowned for music history context, collaborative storytelling, and candid cultural insights.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 820 ratings
  • Smashing pod from the Smash Hits Team

    Podcast Addict
    5
    ericorthwaite
    a month ago
  • Great podcast

    Like sitting in a pub with some mates chatting about music and arts. We need a book with all the Stackwaddys in it .

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mdjudickck
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • A constant companion

    ‘Keep us in therapy and you can walk the dog at the same time’ goes the ident, well WIYE regularly accompanies me on my late night dog walks and I hope it continues to do so for a long time.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    pwg69
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Two Beautiful People

    Great raconteurs who must be listened to. One of these guys kind of sounds like Paul McCartney too, which is not bad at all.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Guy Jincarde
    Japan2 months ago
  • Where’s Pete?

    Love the pod, guys. Always fun and enlightening. Thanks for the words about Andy Kershaw. I saw Pete Paphides’ column about Andy and he mentioned interviewing Andy for Word Magazine back in the day. Which leads me to the question: Has Pete ever appeared on Word In Your Ear?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Joshua Graham12
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests are consistently high-caliber and bring unique perspectives.
The show's long-form format and historical focus are highly valued by fans.
Listeners praise the hosts' knowledge and conversational warmth.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Paul Simon’s Graceland and how the masterpiece was made
Q: How did Simon handle the business and credit aspects of the project in a country under boycott?
The discussion notes that Simon navigated the South African boycott by engaging with Harry Belafonte, Quincy Jones, and others to ensure proper considerations, fair compensation, and clear credit, effectively balancing artistic ambition with responsible business practices.
Paul Simon’s Graceland and how the masterpiece was made
Q: Why did Paul Simon choose to work with South African musicians for Graceland?
The guest explains that Simon was seeking fresh rhythmic ideas and cultural exchange, and he wanted to push beyond the standard US studio scene to find new textures and grooves, which is why he sought collaboration with Johannesburg-based musicians.
Gary Numan’s reality check – ‘I’m essentially a guy who wears make-up for a living’
Q: And I wondered what you learned from reading 700 people's recollections of their relationship with your music. What have you learned about yourself actually?
The process showed me how deeply music can affect people, moving from a selfish, studio-first mindset to recognizing its broader social impact and the responsibility that comes with creating something that can help others through tough times.
Star Ratings - do we love/hate/need them? Five-star debate here! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Q: Where did the modern star-rating concept originate, and how did it evolve through different media?
It started with ancient rating ideas in Aristotle, then traveled through travel guides and literary criticism, eventually moving into newspapers, film and later the internet, with systems like the Michelin stars shaping practices and expectations.
Brian Epstein & the Beatles - what he did and what he hid
Q: How did Epstein handle the Beatles' early success and their need for protection from fame?
He acted as a protective facilitator, arranging flats, managing living situations, and steering their public image to shield them from the brutal glare of fame while also pushing strategic decisions that expanded their reach.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Location
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Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Word In Your Ear

What is Word In Your Ear about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two long-running music broadcasters explore deep histories of rock, punk, shoegaze, and nightlife through intimate interviews, archival context, and cultural commentary. Episodes balance nostalgia with practical touring realities, industry anecdotes, and analysis of how technology, venues, and media shape listening and fandom. Notable strengths include a rich roster of guests spanning photographers, authors, journalists, and industry insiders, plus a consistent, unreconstructed voice that blends affection with sharp critique. The format often centers on the stories behind influential records, iconic scenes, and the people who documented or lived through them, making it a must-listen for listeners who crave craft, context, and long-form conv... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Word In Your Ear?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Word In Your Ear:

1. Rockonteurs with Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt
2. EggPod Express
3. Something About the Beatles
4. Sodajerker On Songwriting
5. THE ADAM BUXTON PODCAST

How many episodes of Word In Your Ear are there?

Word In Your Ear launched 5 years ago and published 982 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Word In Your Ear?

Recent guests on Word In Your Ear include:

1. Andrew Stocks
2. Gary Numan
3. Ashley Kahn
4. Kate Mussman
5. Peter Frampton
6. Kate Mossman
7. Rufus Wainwright
8. Dave Balfe

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